Discovering Beauty in Everyday Life

So far we don't know too much about Ripple,  but here's how we met....... I was happening to glance to my left on the way up 5th avenue, when my pointless progress was arrested by an insistent and very demanding TWEET. I turned around, and there was the unmistakable puffy, tweety, happy presence of Ounce. Ounce hopped and tweeted, and off we went up 5th Avenue and into the Park near the Harlem Meer. I thought Ounce was after a favorite bathing bowl, but it’s too early for fountains. Before I knew it, Ounce was tweeting and fluffing and hopping, and who floated over but Ripple! Ounce introduced us, and off they went for a ride on the Meer! I tried to get a photo, but Ounce kept moving around, and then there was the glare of the sun. I can’t tell you how much fresh air can be packed into a walk. Ounce on 5th Avenue Ripple floats in the Harlem Meer

Clickity klack, klickity clop, no wait. Clippity clop clippity clop. Oh, who cares? When was the last time you saw a horse clippity-ing anywhere anyway? I mean, I am spending hours in online furniture stores searching for a klik klak ratchet couch for my office. Why is this hard? Why am I doing it anyway? It’s time for a piece of chocolate while contemplating spring shadows across the Harlem Meer. Ahhhhh. That’s better. Spring Shadows Across the Harlem Meer Pathway

Rusty with life I flee the stainless streets, escaping to the border places, neon blinks through half a sign. Dark wood angles jut and flounder on their way to make up a house. Galvanized garbage can broken on the sidewalk, lid almost covering the mess inside. Loose wires hang over broken grass, holding on in the front-yard dust. Green planks cross-hatch behind the steps, covering the belly of the porch. Inside the floor is still swept clean; There's a curtain instead of a door. Hangman stalks the inside house, waiting for a turn of events. Across the Harlem Meer

Is there a pathway to that unknown destination? Traveling, traveling, turning a corner here and there, Labyrinths and crossroads, matrices and a web of life; Is that a trace of the Master Weaver Spinning out our destinies?

Mamma and Children in the Harlem Meer, July 2013

fer·ry    /ˈferē/ Noun A boat or ship for conveying passengers and goods, esp. over a relatively short distance and as a regular service. Verb Convey in a boat, esp. across a short stretch of water. Synonyms ferryboat - raft         (Quiet, now....let's not cause disappointment.  I mean, even if the ferry is seriously late, there is always the chance of a raft...) Harlem Meer in July 2013

Our Weeping Willow was damaged in Hurrican Sandy, but look at her now! Nothing is so elegantly spring. Just West of the Harlem Meer, Central Park, April

Oh Winter Sun, where art Thou? Thou art Missing! Oh Spring Thaw, why art Thee not nipping at my frozen Roots? 'Tis nigh on March! Art thou Shy? Harlem Meer in February 2013 For the likely derivation of this scale, see Fahrenheit, The Straight Dope

Tromp, tromp, shiver and shake It’s too cold to take a walk to the lake We will stay in bed with a book instead And post a shot from a previous lot. ********  Today’s Quiz: The woman in this picture is a) Throwing away an ice cream wrapper b) Petting a small animal c) Reprimanding a small child (out of frame on the right) d) Looking for a toy submarine without a periscope. e) Other   Women at North West Corner of Harlem Meer YES! The correct answer is ---                                                          e) Other  !!

Just take my life, I hand it over, palm full and pulsing. I have no stories to tell anymore, No more backups and no more clogs, no retrievals, and no Aha!s They went down the drain with the last hurrah; Give me the point of the captured moment, when the day is lost in the stars. Give me the time for letting go, When faith is as real as a unicorn, Tell me the way to carry you with me In the puddled sway of eternity. Show me the season for a peak at life and a burnished turn of events as well, come with me into the space between the ring of truth and the tolling bell. Harlem Meer from 109th and Fifth Avenue

Shimmering in the wind, the dry reeds rattle Rattle, swish Time clatters away with a thud. Drowning in yellow leaves, fall sneaks in through the cracks Torn by the wind.   Harlem Meer after the Storm

There is a cold sting in the air, A fall day, maybe this one.  You and I are caught in circumstances,  Caught without a choice about the matter.  laughing without a reason Falling end over end  Torn away together.  The net is set.   The drawstring waits. 

Shhhhhh......Danger!!! VERY, very,  Very, Very, very, v e r y, very , v e r y  THIN ICE... Water Fowl in the Harlem Meer

Dusk is such a subtle time Did you know there are three different twilights?  Here's Wikipedia's descriptions: Evening civil twilight begins at sunset and ends when the geometric center of the sun reaches 6° below the horizon ( civil dusk ). Nautical twilight is the time when the center of the sun is between 6° and 12° below the horizon. In   general, nautical twilight ends when navigation via the horizon at sea is no longer possible. Astronomical twilight is the time when the center of the sun is between 12° and 18° below the horizon. From the end of astronomical twilight in the evening to the beginning of astronomical twilight in the morning, the sky (away from urban light pollution ) is dark enough for all astronomical observations.

This gorgeous view is from the Hill overlooking the Harlem Meer and the Conservancy Garden, Winter is setting in from the chilly tree tops to the earth below.  Harlem Meer from the Hill, December 2011 January Prediction..... Hill Overlooking Harlem Meer, view #2